Penn-Trafford Star category
Thomas Jefferson rolls past Penn-Trafford to reach WPIAL finals for 1st time since 2019Video
Thomas Jefferson called a timeout about a minute into the game after Penn-Trafford scored the first five points. “Settle, relax,” Jaguars coach Matt Gould told his girls. “You haven’t done anything wrong or right yet.” The second-seeded Jaguars called another timeout late in the fourth. This time, they really could...
Trafford man sues Westmoreland Country Club over injury
A hazard near the 18th green at Westmoreland Country Club was more than just a penalty for a poor shot, according to a lawsuit filed this week. Matthew D. Zegarelli of Trafford claims he was injured when he stepped into a hole from a sprinkler head hidden under overgrown grass...
Grateful Dead-inspired restaurant opens in Latrobe
It’s been nearly a decade since Latrobe resident Richie Matsko first wrote down his ideas for a restaurant menu inspired by his favorite band, The Grateful Dead. Matsko brought his vision to life Feb. 7, opening a bar and restaurant in Latrobe dubbed Terrapin Bistro. It was inspired by the...
Eastern Pittsburgh suburban real estate transactions for the week of Feb. 22, 2026
Allegheny County Forest Hills John Hershey sold property at 356 Sharon Drive to Nicholas and Nicole Cooksey for $287,000. Richard Fosbrink sold property at 338 Woodside Road to Dylan Michael Jurick for $265,000. Monroeville Marlynn Love sold property at 218 Mallard Drive to Sean and Marylynn Love for $13,400. Oakmont...
Penn-Trafford ‘ready for anything’ in Class 5A quarterfinal win over Indiana
Having played Indiana twice this year, Penn-Trafford knew the Indians about as well as any team could know an opponent. The Warriors scoured film and replicated what they planned to see in their third meeting. When the Section 2-5A co-champs met in the WPIAL girls basketball quarterfinals, the Warriors were...
Repeated drug deals nets Trafford man prison sentence
A Trafford man who police claimed sold drugs to an undercover officer on multiple occasions was ordered to serve up to 12 years in prison. Vondae Duane Freeman, 40, pleaded guilty in November to three felony counts including one weapons offense and two drug charges in connection with what state...
Moon defense in postseason form in Class 5A 1st-round win over Penn-Trafford
At a time of the year when defensive efforts tend to stand tall, a 15-13 game at the half turned into a 15-point victory Tuesday night. After No. 4 Moon and No. 13 Penn-Trafford were locked in a defensive battle in the first half, the host Tigers pulled away for...
Green Beacon Gallery in downtown Greensburg searches for a new home
Greensburg was not a random choice for Phil and Steve Harrold’s art and music gallery. The initials of the West Pittsburgh Street venue, called Green Beacon Gallery, align with a common abbreviation for the name of the city — which the brothers deemed deserving of an open stage for local...
Eastern Pittsburgh suburban real estate transactions for the week of Feb. 15, 2026
ALLEGHENY COUNTY Forest Hills Diandre Wright sold property at 413 Atlantic Ave. to Mary Ruth Long Flores for $217,000. Gerald Gleba sold property at 303 Barclay Ave. to Alyson Dodaro for $218,000. John Domino sold property at 405 Edgewood Road to Louis Albert Wheeler IV and Haley Abigail Cirka for...
Penn-Trafford wrestler Dylan Barrett cuts weight to take shot at WPIAL, PIAA titles
Penn-Trafford senior wrestler Dylan Barrett’s main goal is to win a PIAA title. But he knew wrestling at 121 pounds was probably not the path to his goal with Norwin junior Landon Sidun, the No. 1 ranked wrestler in the country at that weight class. “His decision was to either...
Penn-Trafford girls finally shake loose vs. Franklin Regional in WPIAL 5A 1st round
On a night when the rims were tight and shots weren’t falling, Penn-Trafford had to get used to some initial discomfort before it could find its footing in the playoff opener. “When we’re on, we’re on,” Lady Warriors coach Chuck Fontana said. “When we’re not, we have to get to...
Penn Township accuses The Club at Blackthorne of violating the municipality’s zoning ordinance
The Club at Blackthorne, a private event and wedding venue, is in violation of Penn Township’s zoning ordinance, the municipality’s solicitor said Thursday. The 36,000-square-foot Club at Blackthorne is located off of Harrison City-Export Road in the township’s Blackthorne Estates housing community, which is accompanied by a golf course. The...
Residents weigh in on Penn Township’s latest rezoning proposal
Penn Township resident Pati Livengood has mixed feelings about the municipality’s proposed zoning changes. The township has worked through a rezoning plan in recent years to diversify its tax base with more businesses — a goal laid out in the municipality’s 2020 comprehensive plan. About 84% of the township’s real...
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Penn-Trafford hockey holds edge over Hempfield
Penn-Trafford and Hempfield are the frontrunners in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League Class 2A standings with the Warriors (14-2-0-0) holding a one-point lead over Hempfield (13-2-1-0) at the beginning of last week. The teams may also be the best two in the classification and on a collision course to meet...
Eastern Pittsburgh suburban real estate transactions for the week of Feb. 8, 2026
ALLEGHENY COUNTY Churchill Estate of Gertrude Burkett sold property at 2505 Hollywood Drive to Mark Prelich and William Copley for $430,000. Forest Hills Bronwen Walters sold property at 101 Avenue K to Nathaniel Eliazar and Brooke Eliazar Macke for $175,000. Dolce V Investments Co. LLC sold property at 619 Barclay...
Ace Bartenders owners purchase The Club at Blackthorne for $3.9M amid zoning dispute
The future of a planned restaurant within Penn Township’s Blackthorne Estates hinges on an upcoming zoning meeting, as new ownership faces a formal challenge from developers over the facility’s use. Blackthorne Investors is challenging the occupancy permit issued to The Club at Blackthorne, arguing against the operation of a restaurant...
State board suspends license of Torrance hospital nurse
The State Board of Nursing has temporarily suspended a Westmoreland County nurse’s license in connection with allegations that she had sexual relations with a patient at Torrance State Hospital, according to documents filed with the Department of State. Dana R. Coxon, 40, of Penn Township was licensed as a registered...
Attorney claims jury erred in conviction of roommate in Penn Township shooting
A North Versailles woman claims a Westmoreland County jury reached the wrong verdict when it convicted her last year of the attempted murder of her Penn Township roommate. In an appeal filed this week, the lawyer for Leah Gillis said jurors failed to adequately consider testimony that suggested the gun...
Penn-Trafford School Board renews superintendent contract for 5 more years
Superintendent Matthew Harris will lead the Penn-Trafford School District for another five years following a vote by the school board this week. Harris came to the district in 2007. He worked in various administrative roles — including assistant principal of Level Green and Harrison Park Elementary schools, director of student...
1st-place Gateway boys hang on to quell Penn-Trafford’s comeback attemptVideo
A sign on the wall at Penn-Trafford read “Warning” in white capital letters with a green background. Maybe it was meant for Gateway. Warned or not, the visiting Gators were ready for a frenzied comeback by the host Warriors. Gateway weathered a big shift in momentum and a 22-point third...
Penn-Trafford enters stretch run among top PIHL Class 2A contenders
Heading into the final month of the PIHL season, the Penn-Trafford hockey team sits near the top of the PIHL Class 2A standings. Second-year coach Brian Zagorac said winning the regular season was not the main goal of the team. That goal would be winning the Penguins Cup. The Warriors...
Penn-Trafford boys basketball on a season-long thrill ride
Doug Kelly has been down this road before with the Penn-Trafford boys basketball team. The Warriors’ season has been like a roller coaster at nearby Kennywood, full of twists and turns, and ups and downs. “It has been a season of streaks,” Kelly said. “We won four in a row...
Eastern Pittsburgh suburban real estate transactions for the week of Feb. 1, 2026
Churchill Ashley Phillis sold property at 301 Churchill Road to Brian Estocin for $319,000. Forest Hills John Istanish sold property at 813 Maine St. to Belinda Gibbs for $180,000. Patricia Porter sold property at 445 Pacific Ave. to Thomas and Lauren Davidson for $265,800. Monroeville Grace Wagner sold property at...
Bocce builds bridges for people of all ages and abilities
Abigail Gerthoffer wasn’t sure what she was getting into when she joined Burrell High School’s unified bocce team during her sophomore year. She just knew the team aligned with her values and personal mission to have a positive effect in the world. With no prior experience playing bocce, Gerthoffer jumped...
Penn-Trafford area: Bushy Run events, Galentine’s Day, Lego bingo, more
Bushy Run events Bushy Run Battlefield in Penn Township will host a speaker on Feb. 21 and its annual Charter Day on March 8. The speaker, part of the historical site’s regular “History Speaks” series, will discuss how Bushy Run is portrayed in films. The event will be held at...
